Sneider went on to create and grow Public Projects, the Steel Yard’s revenue-generating program that employs local artists and metal workers to design and produce public sculptures such as bike racks, benches, trash cans and fences, projects that fuel the local creative economy and support the Steel Yard’s mission of building community and fostering creativity through the industrial arts.
Sneider replaces former Executive Director Helen Lang, who resigned in November 2013.
Board members selected Sneider for his effective leadership and his proven ability to build relationships and programs. Under Sneider’s tenure, Public Projects has tripled in size, with local artists and metal workers designing and fabricating more than 700 park benches, trash cans, bike racks, fences and other public sculptures for cities and towns across Southern New England.
Sneider is a 2002 graduate of Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA in Sculpture. He served as board treasurer for the non-profit Groundwork Providence from 2010 to 2013.
Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Steel Yard has experienced significant growth in the scope and scale of its programming in the past year. There is record enrollment in its community courses in blacksmithing, foundry, jewelry, and welding, and exciting new collaborations in Public Projects. In addition, the Steel Yard is embarking on a strategic planning process that will engage the community and capitalize on its newly-redesigned 3.5 acre site, which is located in Providence’s Olneyville neighborhood.
“It’s vital that someone who knows the Yard inside and out leads us into the next 10 years of growth and expansion – all in line with our core values. Howie has demonstrated steadfast resiliency and commitment throughout these changing times, and his thoughtful leadership and infectious positive energy earned him the respect of the Yardie family and our partners,” said Board Chair Peter Gill Case.
“I am inspired everyday that I come to the Steel Yard. It has become a place of artistic experimentation for a community to coalesce around creative practices. The staff is awesome, and completely dedicated to creating great programs and providing an infrastructure to support the careers of artists and makers,” commented Sneider.
He went on to say “Most of all, I am humbled by the hard work that everyone contributes to this grand experiment, and so glad to also be a part of it. I look forward.”
THE STEEL YARD BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS APPOINTED HOWIE SNEIDER TO THE POSITION OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, EFFECTIVE MARCH 21, 2014. SNEIDER, WHO HAS SERVED AS ACTING DIRECTOR SINCE DECEMBER, CAME TO THE STEEL YARD IN 2004 AS AN ARTIST RENTING STUDIO SPACE AND AS THE TEACHER OF THE YARD’S FIRST WEEKEND WELDING WORKSHOP.